Day 20: Friday, March 27

I have manifested Thy name to the men whom Thou hast given Me out of the world; they were Thine, and Thou hast given them to Me, and they have kept Thy word. Now they have known that all things, as many as Thou hast given Me, are from Thee, because the sayings which Thou hast given Me, I have given to them; and they have received, and have known truly that I came forth from Thee; and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. I plead for them; I plead not for the world, but for them whom Thou hast given Me, because they are Thine. And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, and they are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep them in Thy name whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one as We are. John 17:6-11

[Jesus prayed:] And I knew that Thou hearest Me always; but on account of the crowd standing around I said it, that they may believe that Thou hast sent Me. John 11:42

A husband who loves his wife, wishes her to be kindly received by others, and to be well treated. He does not say this in express terms, but continually thinks it, consequently he is continually silently entreating it and interceding for her. Parents act in like manner in favor of their children whom they love. In like manner also do those who are in charity for their neighbor, and they who are in friendship for their friends. From all this it can be seen that there is constant intercession in all love. It is the same in respect to the Lord’s intercession for the human race, and especially for those who are in the good and truth of faith, for toward them there is Divine, that is, infinite love, and there is Divine, that is, infinite mercy. He does not pray to the Father for them and in this way intercede, for this would be to act altogether after a human manner. Rather He continually excuses and continually forgives, for He continually feels compassion; and this is done on the part of the Lord Himself, for the Lord and the Father are one (John 14:8-12). Arcana Coelestia 8573:2

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